The UK Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) has awarded a contract to Harland & Wolff to regenerate a former Royal Navy (RN) mine-hunting vessel.
The £55m contract was awarded on behalf of the Lithuanian Government.
Under this contract, Harland & Wolff will renovate and restore the former Hunt-class ship HMS Quorn.
This decommissioned vessel was acquired by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MOND) from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in April 2020.
Before its acquisition, HMS Quorn completed 27 years of service with the RN.
The deal involved DESA to arrange bidding procedures for the vessel’s regeneration.
Once restored, the vessel will be deployed with the Lithuanian Navy’s existing fleet.
The restoration work will include upgrading the mission and sonar systems, search and rescue capability along with adding new main engines, generators and propulsion gear.
Additionally, the contract involves refurbishing the accommodation, hull, ancillary systems, electrical systems and painting.
Work under the contract will support around 100 jobs at south-west shipyard, supporting UK MoD’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) Refresh.
This contract will see an influx of contractors across country’s supply, with 14 major subcontract packages in engineering, equipment, integration and other refurbishment services.
DESA head commodore Richard Whalley said: “It is planned that ship will be handed over to Lithuanian Navy in 2024.
“HMS QUORN is the third mine-hunting vessel that DESA has sold to Lithuania, following sale of HMS Dulverton and Cottesmore in 2008.”
Separately, the RN has commissioned the second of two £5m Cutlass-class patrol vessels during a ceremony at Gibraltar Naval Base.
The commissioning of HMS Dagger marks the completion of a £10m investment in Gibraltar Squadron’s new fast and agile patrol boats.
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